Axar Patel's IPL story is a slow promotion, not a sudden one. Mumbai Indians signed him in 2013 and never used him. Kings XI Punjab bought him the next year and used him as a left-arm spinner who could close down an end. A decade later, Delhi Capitals named him captain.
Punjab: wickets, economy, a hat-trick
At Punjab, from 2014 to 2018, the brief was simple. Bowl left-arm orthodox in the middle overs, keep the scoring down, and chip in with the bat if needed. He did it well enough in his first season to be named Emerging Player of the Tournament, and in 2016 he took a hat-trick against Gujarat Lions — four wickets in five balls.
That version of Axar was already useful. He was not yet the player India would later send in at number five in a World Cup final.
Delhi: the all-rounder grows
Delhi Capitals picked him in 2019 and kept him. Over the next six seasons he became one of the franchise's core players: a spinner who could bowl in any phase, and a lower-order batter who could finish an innings. When Delhi retained him ahead of the 2025 mega auction, he was their top retention, at ₹16.50 crore.
Vice-captain, then captain
He spent two seasons as Delhi's vice-captain. In IPL 2024 he led the side once, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, when Rishabh Pant was serving a slow-over-rate ban. Delhi lost that match, but Axar made 57 off 39 in the chase — a captain's innings in a losing cause.
When Pant moved to Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi named Axar captain for IPL 2025. Chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi called it a natural step: from vice-captain for two seasons to leading the team. Around the same time, India made him T20I vice-captain. The boy from Anand who used to be booked as an economy bowler now sets fields for a franchise.
By Axarpatel.com Editorial Desk • Curated by NK